We recently connected with Kheayr Blackman and have shared our conversation below.

Kheayr, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my business started off as a hobby when I was 14 years old. I witnessed how damaging and negatively impactful eczema had become in the daily life of my younger cousin. I knew that there had to be a more natural way to change the course of my cousin’s skin. I enthusiastically began my mission to create the perfect soap recipe for her skin disorder. I started making my products right in my kitchen. I had no idea I would not only help my loved one but also fall in love with process, becoming one of the first entrepreneurs in my high school. I have helped hundreds of people have access to quality, affordable skincare.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am 25 year old mother of a three year-old son from Wilson, N.C. I’m also a 2020 graduate of Fayetteville State University (Bronco Pride!) with a degree in business administration, with a concentration in Marketing. I am a recently licensed esthetician, I’ve had a passion for skin care since I was 14 years old. I’m most proud that I am helping bridge the gap between affordability and quality, holistic skin care for my community . Getting to know my customers’ concerns about their skin and developing skincare that addresses those issues is what I’m the most proud of. What sets me apart is that I am more interested in cultivating an environment where my customers can be vulnerable when discussing their skincare issues. I’m also more passionate about finding skincare solutions than convincing my clients to buy my products for the sake of the bottom line.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that fear needs to motivate me and not paralyze me from always moving forward. I had a successfully operating business when I was 15 years old , however I allowed fear to make me close up shop for 10 years . This is not my proudest moment but now at 25 , I will no longer allow fear to paralyze me from making my dreams come true. I also had to realize that I am my own worst critic and I need to get out of my own way. I had to unlearn negative self-talk and I had to learn to give myself grace. That has been the biggest challenge of being an entrepreneur.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs in high school, and I remember my teacher saying that only 1 precent of people reach the top of the pyramid, which is self actualization. I asked myself that day why can’t I be in that 1 percent? I figured out that being a entrepreneur was always my true passion and I think thats why I keep striving to be better each day. What keeps me going is that question I ask myself , why not me all the time? Why can’t I have a fulfilled life?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kheelementsofficial.com/pages/about-us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khe.elements/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kheelements/

Image Credits
TNT Photographs Ciarasheraephotography